Education Minister of West Bengal Partha Chatterjee on Tuesday, 2 February, announced that the state government is planning to reopen schools from 12 February 2021.
He stated that his department is considering to resume classes for 9 to 12. The decision to resume classroom operations for junior standards will be taken later.
"I have a scheduled meeting with university vice-chancellors on February 3, where we will decide on the date for resuming classes in all colleges. Accordingly, we will take the next call," Chatterjee told the media at Trinamool Bhavan.
Chatterjee further stated that COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be followed in case of the resumption of classroom operations.
"We have plans to reopen schools, from Class 9 to 12. We will ask all the school authorities to strictly maintain COVID-19 protocols," he said.
West Bengal government earlier announced the dates of Board examinations for the students of classes 10 and 12. Class 10 board exams are scheduled from 1-10 June 2021. Whereas, class 12 board exams will be conducted from 15-30 June 2021.
Schools all over the country ceased physical operations last year in March/April due to coronavirus pandemic. However, with the roll-out of the vaccine, schools have resumed their physical operations in a phased manner across several states. These states include Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, etc.
(With inputs from IANS.)
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